A/N: Sorry this took so long. Things are nutty around here. I hope you enjoy it. :)
The Winter of Our Discontent
By
18lzytwner
Chapter 1
Weeks passed since the return of Sergeant Zetti and the village was now ready for the winter housing situation. As the winter drew close however the Gale Force soldiers worried about the upcoming Lurlinimas and the fact that they were away from their families.
"All right gents, you all have your messages for your loved ones?" Zetti asked as he strolled into the bunk house.
"They do and the Captain has said he'd take them with him when he left tomorrow morning," Lieutenant Ronin spoke up and handed him the stack of letters.
"Excellent boys. I know we all want to be home for the holiday but I'm not sure how that will work. Although I know that Mrs. Dillamond has promised to whip up one heck of a feast for the holiday and Private Roth has offered his services…"
"Sweet Oz! Not more of his cooking!" Someone shouted.
"Hey!" The Private was insulted.
"I know we've had a lot of his experiments but he is just doing the best he can," Zetti continued. The men laughed as they all well knew that Private Roth was the best cook among them. They teased him mostly because he tried to add a little color and a little flavor to their rations and usually it worked. Still they didn't like to be guinea pigs when it came to their food.
"Anyway, gents, tomorrow is a big day and the Captain hopes that the weather will hold long enough for he and the King to get back to the Emerald City. Have a good evening," Zetti smiled and then left the warmth of the bunk house to make his way over to the Dillamond's new residence.
"Come in Sergeant," Mrs. Dillamond smiled.
"Thank you ma'am. I was wondering if I could borrow Master Yero for a few moments?" Zetti wondered.
"Absolutely. I do believe he is in the living room with the other men," she said.
"Having a late night coffee klatch are they?" The Sergeant smirked.
"Trying out a new bottle of my husband's wine," she winked.
"I hope they have extra cheese. That last batch…" he trailed off chuckling. Mrs. Dillamond couldn't help but laugh either. The last batch had been a terrible failure and the men were shaving their tongues for days.
"I know," she smiled and walked with him to the living room.
"Ah there he is, our resident postman," the Captain smirked.
"Yes, I came to deliver the letters and borrow Master Yero if I could," Zetti said.
"But of course, I can't taste the wine anyway," Fiyero gave a slight smile.
"Things running smoothly for tomorrow?" Khalil asked.
"The men are ready but I worry about the weather. Lousy time of year for a trip sir," the Sergeant said.
"True but it will help our little group due to the fact that most travelers and bandits do not go out in the winter months. Not worth the effort. Besides, Miss Fae promises to enchant the horses so that we may make the trip quicker than usual," Khalil smiled.
"Good idea," Zetti smiled and then quickly took the opportunity to drag Fiyero outside.
"Any good reason we're out on the porch?" The Scarecrow asked.
"How confident are you in Miss Fae's magic skills?" He asked.
"Very. Why are you asking?" Fiyero was growing concerned.
"Because I need her to make sure the Captain and the King get to where they are going. I fear the weather is not our only problem," Zetti admitted.
"Oh? What have you heard?" Fiyero was now very concerned.
"Scuttlebutt among the scouts is that our not so friendly village to the North is planning something and they have yet to be able to figure out what it is. I haven't burdened the Captain as he needs to make that trip. It will be safer for the King as well to be in the Emerald City than out here," the Sergeant said.
"I can take to Fae and see what she can do but magic only works so much. You trust the men in the detail going back with them?" Fiyero asked.
"Of course. They will give their lives to protect their charges but I worry that, that will not be enough," Zetti told him.
To Be Continued…
